Washington State High School Artists HonoredState Supt. Dorn announces annual Art Show winners

OLYMPIA — May 16, 2013 — State Superintendent Randy Dorn will host the 40th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show tomorrow at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Olympia.

The show, co-sponsored by OSPI and the Washington Art Education Association (WAEA), will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. It will celebrate the high school artists whose work was selected for statewide competition as regional winners in their Educational Service District (ESD) shows across the state this spring. Dorn will honor the 15 state winners and their teachers.

Dorn believes arts education is essential. “If we are dedicated to preparing all students, we must be sure that all schools have access to a well-rounded arts program,” he said. “We want every student engaged. As the state superintendent, I urge all school districts to ensure that all students have access to the highest quality opportunities in arts education.”

In addition to OSPI and WAEA, six organizations also chose winners: State Board of Education (SBE), Professional Educators Standards Board (PESB), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), ArtsEd Washington and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). These eight groups will pay the artists $200, each, to purchase their award-winning artwork for their permanent collections. This year’s five Judges’ Choice Awards were selected by a panel of 13 judges. The artists who win these awards also receive $200, each, and their artwork will be kept in OSPI’s permanent collection.

* Every year, the WAEA chooses their winning piece to honor their “Tribute Award” winner. This award is given to outstanding arts educators, arts advocates and businesses nominated by the WAEA membership. This year’s Tribute Award winner is Deborah Barten, an art teacher from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo.

About OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State School Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at (360) 725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.